Name: Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 pounds chicken drumsticks (about 12); 2 tablespoons garlic powder; 2 tablespoons onion powder; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 2 tablespoons smoked paprika; 1 tablespoon ground ginger; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 2 cups sugar-free BBQ sauce (or low sugar)

There’s just something about perfectly cooked drumsticks glazed with a tangy, smoky sauce that makes every bite pure joy. This Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe delivers that crispy-saucy magic right from your oven, easy enough for a weeknight but special enough for guests.

The image shows twelve grilled chicken drumsticks arranged neatly in three rows on a silver wire rack placed over a baking tray lined with foil. The drumsticks have a shiny, dark reddish-brown glaze that looks sticky and slightly charred in places, giving a rich texture with crispy edges. The foil beneath the rack is stained with caramelized sauce drips and small burnt bits, adding a rustic look. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m always looking for chicken recipes that don’t require babysitting the stove or grill. This Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe nails it: hands-off baking, super flavorful, and that sticky BBQ glaze you can’t resist.

Easy Prep: Season and let the oven do the hard work—no flipping every two minutes here.
Deep Flavor: The spice rub penetrates during refrigeration, making it deliciously layered.
Perfect Texture: Drumsticks come out tender inside with just the right crispy skin outside.
Family Friendly: No complicated steps or rare ingredients—it’s comfort food everyone loves.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe plays a role in balancing smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors while keeping it wholesome. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one matters:

Flat lay of four whole raw chicken drumsticks with smooth skin, small white ceramic bowls each filled with bright red smoked paprika, vibrant orange chili powder, coarse pale garlic powder, fine light beige onion powder, warm brown ground ginger, coarse white salt crystals, dark cracked black peppercorns, and a small white ceramic bowl holding glossy, rich dark reddish-brown BBQ sauce, all arranged symmetrically and proportionally, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken drumsticks: The star—meaty, affordable, and perfect for baking with skin-on for crispiness.
Garlic powder: Adds mellow, aromatic depth without overpowering.
Onion powder: Brings subtle sweetness and complements garlic beautifully.
Chili powder: Gives a gentle kick and warmth to the rub.
Smoked paprika: Adds smoky notes that mimic grilling right in your oven.
Ground ginger: A surprising twist that adds brightness and a hint of spice.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing out flavors.
Pepper: Adds a touch of sharp heat.
Sugar-free BBQ sauce: The glossy, tangy finish that keeps this dish balanced and less sweet than usual.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I love the spice blend here, feel free to customize it to suit your taste or pantry. I've played around with different BBQ sauces and seasoning tweaks—each variation brings something new.

Variation: I once swapped smoked paprika with chipotle powder for a bolder smoky heat that my family adored.
Dietary tweak: Using low-sodium seasonings and homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce works great if you're watching salt or sugar.
Seasonal twist: Adding a splash of fresh lemon juice before serving brightens up the dish in summer.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

A close-up of a single glazed chicken drumstick held by silver tongs in the foreground, showing a dark reddish-brown, sticky, and shiny surface with a slightly charred texture, while in the background there are several more similar drumsticks laying on a metal rack over a white marbled texture, all with a rich, caramelized glaze. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Get Those Drumsticks Well-Seasoned

Start by mixing garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, salt, and pepper in a big bowl. Toss your drumsticks in there, and don’t be shy—use your hands to rub every inch so the spices get a good hug. This seasoning step is key because it lays the groundwork for flavor to sink in, especially if you can refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Bake with Patience

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a roasting tin with foil if you want easy clean-up (I always do). Arrange the drumsticks spaced out on a wire rack inside the roasting pan. Baking them on a rack helps air circulate and crisps up the skin better. Pop them in the oven, baking for 40 to 50 minutes, and don’t forget to flip halfway through so both sides get that golden color.

Step 3: The BBQ Sauce Finale

After the initial bake, brush each drumstick generously with your sugar-free BBQ sauce. Back in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, then flip and repeat the sauce brush and bake again. This double saucing seals in that sticky, tangy glaze that makes this recipe such a standout.

Top Tip

Through my many attempts, I've learned these little hacks make all the difference in nailing this Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe every time.

Pat Drumsticks Dry: Before seasoning, pat your chicken dry with paper towels; it helps the skin crisp up beautifully.
Use a Wire Rack: Elevating chicken keeps it from stewing in its juices and gives you better texture.
Don't Skip the Rest Time: Letting the spices settle in the fridge for at least 30 minutes amps up flavor without masking the chicken.
Brush Sauce Twice: Applying BBQ sauce twice during baking builds layers of glaze that caramelize perfectly.

How to Serve Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

baked bbq chicken drumsticks - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over the drumsticks. The fresh green pop contrasts nicely with the smoky glaze and adds an herby freshness that perks up each bite.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides include a tangy coleslaw, creamy mashed potatoes, or grilled corn on the cob. These sides balance the smoky, spicy flavors and make it a full-on comfort feast.

Creative Ways to Present

For a backyard BBQ party, I like to arrange the drumsticks on a large platter lined with lettuce leaves, then drizzle extra BBQ sauce and scatter thinly sliced red onions and pickled jalapeños for contrast. It’s colorful, inviting, and a hit every time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover drumsticks store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I’m short on time later in the week, this makes for an easy lunch or dinner addition.

Freezing

I’ve frozen cooked drumsticks with good results. Just wrap them tightly in foil and transfer to a freezer bag. They keep well for about 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To keep the skin crispy when reheating, I prefer warming the drumsticks in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes rather than microwaving. It revives that fresh-baked texture and keeps the BBQ glaze glossy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other chicken cuts for this recipe?

Absolutely! While drumsticks are great for their juiciness and skin, you can use chicken thighs or wings. Just adjust cooking time accordingly since some cuts cook faster.

What if I don’t have sugar-free BBQ sauce?

You can use your favorite regular BBQ sauce, but be mindful of added sugars if that’s a concern. Alternatively, homemade BBQ sauce recipes let you control sweetness and ingredients easily.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The safest way is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should read 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the drumstick. The juices should run clear when pierced.

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Yes! Marinating overnight intensifies the flavor penetration. Just cover and refrigerate overnight after rubbing all the spices on the drumsticks for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe has become one of my go-to crowd-pleasers. It takes minimal effort but rewards you with tender, flavorful drumsticks everyone will rave about. I encourage you to try it out, and maybe even experiment with the spices and sauces as I have—it’s all about making this dish your own little kitchen triumph.